Kiren Rijiju flies in Sukhoi-30MKI

NEW DELHI: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday join an elite list of dignitaries who have undertaken a sortie on board the frontline attack aircraft Sukhoi-30 MKI.

Rijiju, 45, has become the third MoS in the NDA government to fly in the twin-seat air superiority fighter after Rajiv Pratap Rudy (skill development) and Rao Inderjit Singh (defence) did it last year. Former Presidents like APJ Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil also flew in the fighter in 2006 and 2009, respectively.

"IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha had invited Rijiju for the air familiarization sortie. The minister has been medically cleared for the sortie, which was approved by the defence ministry," said an official.

A proper jump suit and a special eye-gear was prepared for the minister so that he can comfortably undertake the high-gravity sortie. IAF has till now inducted 210 of the 272 Sukhois contracted from Russia for over $12 billion, the bulk of which are being licensed produced by defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

Sukhoi squadrons are now based on both the eastern and western fronts with China and Pakistan in airbases ranging from Bareilly, Tezpur and Chabua to Jodhpur, Halwara and Sirsa.